Take the Mic Poetry Slam Final Featuring Rudy Francisco

Take the Mic Poetry Slam is a competition that includes students from Syracuse University, SUNY ESF and Onondaga Community College. They will read or recite original material up to three minutes. The competition is two rounds and winning students will have their material judged on originality, stage presence, content and delivery and time. Trophies will be awarded to the students who finish in first, second and third place.

This year’s slam will feature Rudy Francisco, one of the most recognizable names in Spoken Word Poetry. He was born, raised and still resides in San Diego, California. At the age of 21, Rudy completed a B.A in psychology and decided to continue his education by pursuing an M.A. in organizational studies. As an artist, Francisco is an amalgamation of social critique, introspection, honesty and humor. He uses personal narratives to discuss the politics of race, class, gender and religion while simultaneously pinpointing and reinforcing the interconnected nature of human existence.

Francisco has shared stages with prominent artists such as Gladys Knight, Jordin Sparks, Musiq Soul Child and Jill Scott. He is also the co-host of the largest poetry venue in San Diego, competes in domestic and international poetry slam competitions and had the honor of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award. His goal is to continue to assist others in harnessing their creativity while cultivating his own. He is the 2009 National Underground Poetry Slam Champion, 2010 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion and appeared on TV One’s “Verses and Flow.”

Tickets are free and available via the virtual Student Box Office.